nonprofit | FFXnow

Historic River Farm secures permanent protection after fight over potential sale

Published May 1, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated May 4, 2026 at 4:55PM

River Farm welcome sign (photo by Tadi Abedje)

Once part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation, River Farm is now a historic landmark that has been owned by the American Horticulture Society (AHS) for over five decades. Its gardens and scenic views play host to special occasions such as weddings and memorial services.

The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and American Horticulture Society announced that River Farm has received formal, permanent protection with a conservation easement, a milestone celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this afternoon (Friday).

News

Resource center for adults with disabilities launches in Hybla Valley

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

The nonprofit SPARC celebrates the opening of its new Hybla Valley Community Center location and launch of a Mobile Exploration Lab with a ribbon-cutting (courtesy SPARC)

A nonprofit that provides day programs for adults with disabilities has expanded its services to Hybla Valley.

Joined by local and state-level elected officials as well as program participants and their families, Specially Adapted Resource Centers (SPARC) celebrated the opening of its newest site at the Hybla Valley Community Center (7950 Audubon Avenue) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday (April 17).

Countywide

Fairfax could cut wellness program for people getting mental health services

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 13, 2026 at 3:45PM

BeWell provides one-on-one health coaching for individuals with mental illnesses and substance use challenges (courtesy HopeLink)

An Oakton-based nonprofit has been sounding an alarm about Fairfax County’s plans to eliminate funding for a key mental health program.

The fiscal year 2027 budget presented by County Executive Bryan Hill in February would terminate a $618,952 contract for BeWell, a program run by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) and the nonprofit HopeLink Behavioral Health that coaches people living with serious mental illnesses on their overall health and wellness.

Around Town

Inclusive N. Va. theater troupe readies latest creations for opening night

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

Cast and crew of ArtStream Company B (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

For the past six months, ArtStream’s Virginia Company B has been developing and rehearsing a war of the worlds, featuring a clash of famous show-business and historical figures.

And tomorrow night (Friday), “The Great Put-Together!” makes its world premiere at James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road, #114) in the West Falls Church area of Fairfax County.

Around Town

Block party season kicks off with inclusive event at Reston’s Lake Anne

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published April 7, 2026 at 2:45PM

Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Reston-based nonprofit will host a unique block party — billed as the first of its kind in Northern Virginia — at Lake Anne Plaza this weekend to promote inclusion between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The “All Abilities Block Party” will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11. It will feature a bubble artist, caricaturist, DJ, roaming juggler, glitter tattoos, tent with art on display, a visit from Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, and free food with an RSVP in advance.

News

New Reston-based nonprofit will assist Afghan refugees

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published March 25, 2026 at 3:45PM

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn welcomes the Afghan Refugee Rescue Organization to Reston (courtesy Afghan Refugee Rescue Organization)

A small new nonprofit organization hopes to help the tens of thousands of Afghans who live in Virginia find employment, build stronger connections with one another, and celebrate their culture.

Volunteers gathered at the United Christian Parish in Reston on Saturday (March 21) to celebrate the opening of the Afghanistan Refugee Rescue Organization’s new U.S. branch there.

News

Retiring Cornerstones CEO sees rewards, challenges ahead for Reston nonprofit

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 19, 2026 at 10:00AM

Kerrie Wilson is retiring from Cornerstones after 25 years as its CEO (courtesy Cornerstones)

When she officially retires next month after 25 years, Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson is confident that she will be leaving the Reston-based social services nonprofit in more-than-capable hands.

With both major projects and a turbulent economic and political climate to manage, the Cornerstones Board of Directors couldn’t have chosen a better successor for her than Shannon Steene, Wilson told FFXnow in an interview earlier this month.

News

Reston nonprofit Cornerstones names longtime Alexandria shelter director as new CEO

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 12, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated February 12, 2026 at 3:56PM

Shannon Steene (courtesy of Cornerstones)

For its next CEO, Cornerstones has chosen a local leader with plenty of experience guiding human services nonprofits through major transformations.

The Reston-based organization announced today (Thursday) that Shannon Steene, the executive director of Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria, will take over as its top executive on April 13, replacing longtime CEO Kerrie Wilson.

News

Fairfax student’s nonprofit organizes service projects to help homeless people

By Emily Leayman

Published February 3, 2026 at 2:45PM

Hands in Hope organizes student service projects to help people experiencing homelessness (courtesy of Minn Vo)

After losing a brother who experienced homelessness, Carter G. Woodson High School student Minn Vo became aware on a personal level of how vulnerable people without shelter can be — and how often they’re overlooked by society.

That was a call to action for Vo, who founded the nonprofit Hands in Hope to organize service projects and fundraise to benefit individuals experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County.

News

Friends of Reston revives tree fund to support community plantings

By Jamie Rogers

Published December 1, 2025 at 9:15AM

Friends of Reston President Kathleen Driscoll (middle) with Cameron and Lincoln Dunn (left), Bundeseh-German Liaison Office Col. Bernd Albers (right) and Volkswagen Group of America Senior Director Mark Ramsey (back), who were honored as exceptional supporters at a Nov. 3 tree planting ceremony (photo by Kathleen Driscoll)

Local nonprofit Friends of Reston has brought new life to its Friends of Trees Tree Fund program, doubling down on its efforts to help preserve Reston’s lush tree canopy by encouraging the community to plant more trees.

The program has existed since at least 2012 but experienced a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kathleen Driscoll, president of Friends of Reston, which supports Reston Association through private fundraising and charitable, educational and scientific activities.